Countisbury
SITE TYPE | COASTAL | LOCATION | 51.2361 / -3.7941 | |
SITE ACCESS | 100+ hours | GRID REF. | SS748500 | |
PILOT RATING | CP | TAKE OFF | ||
WIND DIRECTION | WNW - N | PARKING | ||
BEST | NW | HEIGHT | 984 feet (300m) | |
XC POTENTIAL | UNLIKELY | TOP - BOTTOM | 984 feet (300m) |
Site Rules
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100+ hours strongly recommended
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Pilots should have extensive coastal soaring experience
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Obtain a site brief from a pilot experienced in flyingthe site
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If possible, fly with other pilots who know the site well
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Walkers have right of way​
Hazards​
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No bottom landing
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The site can be subject to very rapid wind increases.
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If the wind is Northerly, watch for any indications that it is going off to the east and bottom land at Lynmouth.
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Rotor from the hut at take off.
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Aerials on the mast.
About​
Countisbury is a spectacular cliff site overlooking Lynmouth Bay on the North Devon coast. The site has a number of hazards that makes it completely unsuitable for low airtime pilots or those who have little coastal soaring experience, This site has a 100+ hours recomendation for good reason!
Coastal soaring is often considered to be safer than inland, thermic flying however the club sees more accidents on the coast than inland each year. Robin Wallace (Wessex HGPG) has produced an excellent guide to the dangers and pitfalls of coastal flying which should be essential reading for all pilots:-
Access & Parking
Take A39 from Minehead to Lynmouth. Park at the National Trust (Barra Burrow) free car park half a mile on the right before the Inn - what3words - ///weeps.exotic.dress
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Follow the path and walk out to the hut and mast, this is Top T/O - what3words - ///mocked.easily.status
Lower T/O is down on the slope in the bowl in front of the church - what3words - ///army.delays.patio
Guidlines
Countisbury is not a site suited to the inexperienced pilot and a minimum of 100 hrs airtime is strongly recommended.
You should try to consult a coach before before flying the site for the first time and take particular care in assessing the conditions. Wind speed and direction can change very quickly and good decision making is vital.
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Bottom landing options are extremely limited and potentially lethal. Do not allow yourself to get caught scratching low.
Bottom Landing
No bottom Landing.
Top Landing
On the cleared area left of the hut on top take off and left of the track to the NT car park.
Also in front of the church wall at the lower take off for paragliders however you need to take careful account of the wall. - this is a very tricky landing due to the proximity of the wall - assess this option very carefully.
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Slope landing is available in a number of places
XC Potential
With a north wind long coastal runs West to Ilfracombe and East to Porlock are possible. The sea and the rocks will claim the careless! Strong winter thermals may give opportunities to go over the back.​
Airspace
None
All pilots using Devon & Somerset Condors HGPG sites must be current BHPA flying members, hold a minimum rating of CP Hill and obtain a site brief from a pilot who regularly flies the site.
The information contained in this document is provided purely as guidance. It is not intended to be an exhaustive guide to the hazards that may be encountered and it is the responsibility of individual pilots to carry out their own assessment of the site and weather conditions before making a decision to fly.
Neither the Devon & Somerset Condors Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club, authors of this guide, editors of this guide, any official or member of the club in any way accept liability for any accident, injury, or loss, to any person, resulting from free flying activities or the use of this guide.